Ditching machine



DITCHING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 20, 1943 INVENTOR:

ATTORNEYS.

p 25, 1944. -H. K. SWANK 2,347,378

DITCHING MACHINE Filed July 20, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR:

M111 bi /71 01251 00015,

BY; ,P

rro mz s.

Patented Apr. 25, 1944 DITCHING MACHINE Harry fKenton .Swank, S-cbring, Fla., assignor of one-half to'Elsa R. Scbring, Sebring, Fla.

Application July 20., 1943, Serial" N0.--495,4'58

11 Claims.

This invention has reference to ditching grading and similar :machines useful also lfOl excavating and leveling terrain in general; while it relates more particularly to :the species of such machines including .a rotary digging means adapted to'shovelzor scoop :up the dirt or soil and to deliver the same :to an associated conveyer for disposal as desired.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved ditching machine .including novel featuresrof construction whereb-y the digging, lifting, elevating and conveying or disposal of the .removeddirt or soil .are efiected-with a greater degreeof efiiciencythan heretofore; and more especiallyso when ditching for open drainage purposes.

Anotherobjectis to provide a ditching machine including an .inclinable digging device which rotatively sets thesoil, to be removed, inmotiona-nd progresses the same directionallyonto aconveyer without any angular turning movement, whereby a considerable saving ;-in time and mechanical effort is effected.

Other objects, with ancillary advantages, will become apparent to those conversant with the art 39 upon a consideration of the construction, arrangement-and combination of parts of the means hereinafter disclosed; whileit will also be appreciated that this invention is susceptible .of other embcdiment and adaptation, .or structurally modified form, coming equally well within the terms and scope of the concluding claims.

In the drawings: r

Fig. 1 is aperspe'ctive view of a convenient underframe for adjustably mounting the improved ditching means of this invention, with a portion broken-away to better .compact the view.

Fig. 2 is a similar view to {the preceding, with the addition of a bearing structure for the digger platform .or table, the latter being omitted.

Fig. .3 .is a vertical cross-section through the structure of Fig. Zwith thediggerrmcluded there- Fig. 4 is a perspective view looking downwardly from above Fig. 3 of the rotary digger deviceincluding the associated table, :and a fragmentary portion of a cooperative conveyer :for removal of the released dirt or soil incidental to the digging operation.

Fig. 5 is a somewhat schematic plan view of :a complete ditching machine embodying the instant subject-matten Fig. 6 is .a detail section taken approximately as indicated by the angle arrows VI-VI:in -Figs. l and 5; and,

Fig. 7 is asection on the plane designated VII VlI'in'Fig. 6.

In describing the form of this invention exemplified by the above captioned drawings, specific terms will be employed for'the sakeof clarity, but it "is to be distinctly understood the scope of said invention is not thereby limited; each :such term being intended to embrace all equivalents which perform the same :function for an :analogouspurpose.

'Referring in detail to the drawings and firstly toiEigs. 1-3 and 5, more particularly, there is therein depicted. a convenient sub-structure or framework, comprehensively designated in Fig. 1 as8, the samepreferablyibeing' fabricated of side members :9 ;-rigid1y::.connected by main cross and angularly-related tie-sections 1:0, with the latter reinforced by buttress-braces I l a11 of said members, tie-sections, .and :braces .being. of standard type and :joinedtogether 1 at their respective junctures by seam welds, not indicated, .in an obvious manner-with resultant provisionof-the rigidly-unifled tframework =8. Appropriate traction-wheels 12,13 are conveniently journaled to the framework :8;;:the ;former 1 2 zservingto sustain the maj or part of the weightor the machine and the latter 43 as guides "to minimize lateral displacement of .said machine whenlit-iis power driven, cable or otherwise operated, as readily understandable by those acquainted withthe art.

.Rigidl-y attached to the forward tie-section I0, as :by' .bolts 14 ar .reversely positioned spaced angle-brackets rl5 conveniently, although not essentially, rigidified by an intervening tie memher :lfi; theroutwardly. projecting portions I] of said brackets being aperturedat 1:8 for passage the'rtethrough of a "tubular housing I!) having .zilanged :ends 2211, :said housing including an intermediate transmission .21., with appropriate drive mechanism, not shown, :for the uni-directional operation :of .an adjustable .head 22, the purpose whereof :is hereinafter further explained. Attentionisrdirected, however, at this/juncture, to the liactxthat the tubular housing flanged ends 20 are pierced at circumferentiallyespaced intervals for :passage'of lock bolts 23 likewise engaged through .registerable "holes in the projecting portions 1 1 oi. the brackets 15, whereby the housing 9 and gear, transmission 21 can .be rotatively adjusted and varyingly-secured with the head .22 disposed for rotation :in ia'horizontakplane, .or tilted for similar actuation in any :angle up to near vertical, as hereafter set forth.

Rigidl zsustained by the :tubular housing IS on bearers 24, pr.eferably$integrated thereto by welds 25, as well as an angle brace 26, affixed at one end 21 to the transmission 2| and at the other end having a flange 28 with an associated radial brace 29, both of which are rigidly secured to the underside of a skeleton frame-work 30. This framework 38 is preferably made up of standard sections, that is to say it embodies a broken-out rim 3|, one portion, or the leading section, being at right angles to the general plane of said framework to define a sectoral soil-grip 32, and appropriately arranged intersecting brace elements 33, 34, as well as a second radial brace 35, all of which jointly afford firm support for an approximately three-quarter disc or table 36, concentrically related to the axis of the adjustable head.

22, hereinbefore referred to.

The table 36 as best understood from Figs. 3 and 4, preferably consists of a flat circular plate having an approximately quarter, or less, sectoral portion removed to define an opening or cut-out 31, which is positioned directly over an apron conveyer 38, trained about cooperative rollers 39; said rollers being rotated in unison by an endless chain 48 with associated gearing 4|, from the power shaft 42 of an appropriate motor 43, mounted on a floor 44 of the main framework 6, hereinbefore referred to. Particular attention is directed, at this juncture and as best understood on reference to Fig. 5, that the plane of the table 36 is on an angle in respect to the direction of travel of the machine; or that it is angularly pitched intermediate the side members 9 of the framework 8, for reasons hereinafter set forth. The power shaft 42 is extended beyond the gearing 4| and operatively coupled by suitable means, not shown, to effect rotation of the adjustable head 22, through the medium of an axial shaft 45, Fig. 3.

Rigidly secured, conveniently by a seam weld 46, concentric with the axial shaft 45 and to the head 22 is the angle-section skirt or center piece lated projection or ploughshare blade 59; said blades being preferably graded, as readily understood on an inspection of Fig, 4, so as to progressively under-cut the bottom of the ditch being due, as the machine is progressed, and thereby materially facilitating elevation of the soil loosened by the digging members 49. Each such ploughshare blade 59 may be made removable, for interchange, or rigidly secured to the outer flange 52 by an offset lug 68.

For draught purposes a yoke 6| and cable, or

draw-bar 62, may be attached to t e side mem- 41 of the rotatable digging-wheel, comprehensive- 7 1y designated 48 in Figs; 3 and i. This diggingwheel 48, it is to be particularly noted, comprises a series of circumferentially-spaced members 49 of novel construction, said members being tangential with respect to a relatively small circle about the axis of rotation of the shaft as a center. what Z-section transversely; that is to say more specifically said member embodies a comparatively narrow scraper-lip 50 for rotative coaction with the table 36 as hereinafter fully set forth; a web portion 5| conveniently at right angles to the plane of the table 36; and an outer flange 52, preferably parallel to the plane of said table, having its active portion 53 inclined at a determined angle relative to said flange 52 as well as the table 36, with the free edg appropriately beveled to define acutter edge 54. It is Each member 49 is preferably of somebers 9 of the framework 8 in accordance with known practice; or the machine may be coupled to a tractor driven at appropriate speed to remove the soil at maximum capacity. The cut-out 31 in the table 36 is also preferably provided with side guards 63, Figs. 4 and 5, also co-extensive with the conveyer apron 38 to prevent spillage" of the soil being transported thereby.

Operation of the machine to dig a ditch D, Fig. 5, inthe terrain T, assuming said machine is to be cable-hauled by the yoke 6|, and the digger 48 power actuated by the motor 43; the procedure is briefly as follows. The digger 48 is initially set, at the desired angle intermediate the horizontal and vertical, by release of the lockbolts 23 and turning of the tubular bearing I9 through the requisite degrees and then securing said lock-bolts, whereby the table 36 and the rotatable members 49 are conjointly inclined to dig the ditch D, of determined depth, relative to the surface of the terrain T. Rotary or counterclockwise motion, as indicated by the arcual arrows on the members 49, being now imparted to the digger 48, by the motor 43, through the power shaft 42 and transmission 2|, in an obvious manner, the respective ploughshare blades 59 will consecutively penetrate the terrain T with conjoint loosening and scooping up of the soil by the several digging-member active portions 53 and angular parts 5|, 52. In other words, the blades 59 initially undermine the soil to be excavated and cause it to fall inwardly down onto the table 36 as well as into the hollows of the respective digging members 49; whereupon the rotary motion imparted to said members and by aid of their scraper-lips 59, causes the released soil to slide over the table 36 to the cut-out 31 and between the side guards 63, from whence it gravitates onto the apron conveyer 38 for progression thereby,

as indicated by the associated arrows, for disto be particularly remarked, at this juncture,

that the web portion 5| extends from the annular skirt portion 55, Figs. 35, into which it is curvilinearly merged at 56, tangentially-outwards to a rounding at 51 also having its active portion inclined and beveled in correspondence with the portions 53, 54,'aforesaid, and to which it is per- Otherwise expressed,

charge to form a bank B paralleling the ditch D; or the soil discharging from the conveyer 38 may gravitate thereoff into appropriate removal means. It is to be here particularly observed that, by virtue of the angular inclination of the table 36 and digger 48 relative to the direction of travel of the machine, as well as the rotating motion of the digger-members 49, the soil is re leased, dug, moved, and delivered to discharge solely by rotation of the digger 48 by the shaft 45; while the shape or section of the ditch D is uniform with a substantially flat bottom and relatively obtuse-angled side walls; whereas the depth of said ditch is, obviously, controlled by the determinate adjusted inclination of the table 36 within the confines of an angle of ninety degrees. It is furthermore noteworthy that the active portion 53 of the respective digging members 49 is on the upper side whereby the soil excavated thereby is constrained to fall downwards onto the table 36, or into the scoop-like confines defined by each member 49 and said table, until reaching the cut-out 31, whereby the general efiiciency of the machine is raised to a maximum output. Again by providing a unidirectional digging machine movable forward in the line of the ditch, said machine may be operated at the most efficient speed for positive maximum excavating capacity; while said machine can be employed not only for ditching as hereinbefore explained, but also for road building, general excavating, loading un-needed soil, as well as tilling or cultivating.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

for holding said table in various angular positions from approximately horizontal to near vertical for controlling the depth of the ditch to be dug, a rotary digger operative on the table and embodying angle-section arms having active portions in spaced parallelism to said table, and a sectoral cut-out in said table for discharge of the material excavated by the rotary digger.

3. In a ditching machine the combination of a progressible supporting frame, a stationary table obliquely fulcrumed to said frame, means for holding said table in various angular positions from approximately horizontal to near vertical for controlling the depth of the ditch to be dug, a rotary digger operative on the table and embodying angle-section arms having active portions in spaced parallelism to said table, a sectoral cut-out in said table defining an outlet for the material excavated by the rotary digger, and an associated conveyer for transferring excavated material from the table outlet to the desired discharge.

4. In a ditching machine the combination of a progressible supporting frame, a stationary table obliquely fulcrumed to said frame, means for holding said table in various angular positions from approximately horizontal to near vertical for controlling the depth of the ditch to be dug, a rotary digger operative on the table and embodying angle-section arms having active portions in spaced parallelism to said table, a sectoral cut-out in said table defining an outlet for the material excavated by the rotary digger, an endless conveyor associated with the table cutout for removing the excavated material to discharge, and means whereby the table is rotated concurrently with progression of the conveyer.

5. In a ditching machine the combination of a progressible supporting frame, a stationary table obliquely fulcrumed to said frame, means for holding said table in various angular positions from approximately horizontal to near vertical for controlling the depth of the ditch to be dug, a rotary digger operative on the table and embodying angle-section arms having active portions in spaced parallelism to said table, a sectoral cut-out in said table defining an outlet for the material excavated by the rotary digger, an endless conveyer associated with the table cutout for removing the excavated material to discharge, a motor and suitable means whereby the table and conveyer are uni-directionally activated, and means for progressing the ditching machine.

6. In a ditching machine the combination of a wheeled supporting frame; a circular table fulcrumed to said frame with its plane at an oblique angle to the direction of travel of the machine; means for holding said table in various inclined positions between approximately horizontal to near the vertical for controlling the depth of the ditch to be dug; a digger rotatable on the table and embodying circumferentially spaced arms tangential with respect to a circle about the axis of rotation as a center, each said arm being of rectangular cross-section and having its active portion in spaced parallelism to the table; a sectoral cut-out in the table; an endless conveyer having one end below the table cut-out; a motor with suitable gearing whereby the table and conveyer are uni-directionally activated; and means for progressing the ditching machine.

7. A ditching machine as defined in claim 6 wherein the supporting frame comprises spaced side components with mutually integrated main and angularly-related cross ties.

8. A ditching machine as defined in claim 6, wherein the circular table is mounted on a correspondingly-shaped open framework; a tubular housing, having flanged ends, rigidly secured diametrically below said open framework; suitable brackets on the machine supporting frame affording rotative bearing for the tubular housing. such brackets and the tubular housing providing the fulcrum for the circular table; and means whereby the housing flanged ends are locked to the bearing brackets at the desired inclination of the circular table aforesaid.

9. A ditching machine as defined in claim 6 wherein the rotatable digger comprises a center piece embodying a surrounding skirt; the circumferentially spaced arms project tangentially with respect to said center piece skirt; each said arm being of approximately 2 formation to define a scraper lip, for coaction with the circular table, and a rectangular scoop-like section having the active portion spacedly parallel to said table, as well as an outer-end rounding; and said active edge portion and outer-end rounding are acutely angledand beveled to define cutter edges.

10. A ditching machine as defined in claim 6 wherein alternate arms of the digger are provided at their outer ends with ploughshare blades, and said blades project at approximately right angles to the path'of rotation of the digger to initially undermine the soil being excavated.

11. A ditching machine as defined in claim 6 wherein the sectoral cut-out in the circular table includes an angle of approximately ninety degrees, and side guards are provided on the table in association with said cut-out and the adjoining circumferential portion of the circular table to respectively guide the excavated soil onto the endless conveyer and to prevent spillage from the relatively trailing portion of said table.

HARRY KENTON SWANK. 

